Maundy Thursday Reflections

HOLY WEEK REFLECTION: THE DARK SIDE OF HOPE

“And going a little farther, He fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as you will’.”

It’s challenging enough to remember that the Son of God “who was, is, and ever more shall be” Divine became for a moment in time also human. It’s more challenging still to know that He faced His Darkest Hour not from the power of His deity but from the vulnerability of His humanity. The Cup repulsed Him and He prayed: “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” But, then comes the destiny-changing “NEVERTHELESS, your will be done!”

I surely want to grow in grasping the height, breadth, length, and especially at this moment, the DEPTH of the love of God. And overflowing from that awareness, I want to grow in gratitude, wonder, and full surrender.

This is the dark side of hope. Tomorrow, “Good” Friday, it gets darker still. But on the other side of all this darkness, the blazing light of the resurrection awaits to chase it all away.

“Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!”